Within minutes of each other, at two different meets, Reece Whitley from Penn Charter and Michael Andrew from Team Andrew Indie Swimming broke the 13-14 National Age Group Record in the 100 yard breasststroke.
As of Friday morning, the record belonged to Andrew and his 55.96 from the Minneapolis Grand Prix. First, in finals of the Tom Dolan Invite, Whitley swam a 55.62 to take a good bite out of the record. That mark would only stand on the basis of event schedule, though, and when the C-Final of the 100 breast at Winter Juniors came up, Andrew took it right back with a C-Final winning 55.43.
Neither swimmers is even close to aging up. Andrew has through the end of the summer, but Whitley is still only 13 years old and has a long way to go in this age group. He’s already taken Andrew’s records in the 100 and 200 yard breaststrokes for 11-12’s, and is now going after the 13-14 mark as well.
The battles we could see from these two over the next decade-or-more is tantalizing to say the least; and that’s with no mention of the likes of Carl Poppe, who tied for 18th (aka, 2nd in the C-Final) at Winter Juniors just a few weeks after his 15th birthday in 56.21.
The USA hasn’t won Olympic gold in either the 100 or 200 breaststroke since 1992!!!!
Go Reece! Go Michael! Keep up the great work!!!
Ok, nothing surprises me anymore after today. A 13 year old going 55 in the breast? Nah, no way!
M Andrew is back on rare form this week. He just keeps getting better and better.
These guys really keep exceeding my expectations by leaps and bounds. I am truly amazed!!!!
Both are very tall for their age.
But I think Reece Whitley is taller.
Great swims for both and very funny to watch.
I don’t know if Andrew knew he had lost his record but then he has broken 3 NAG records. 🙂
Uhhhh Andrew only has until April. Not the end of the summer
Swimming. SMASH.